AP ranks 1st in implementation of Centre’s telemedicine services

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh ranked first in the implementation of e-Sanjeevani Telemedicine Services in India, accounting for 32% of the teleconsultations which stood at 3.1 crores against 9.7 crores total teleconsultations in India.

On Tuesday, the commissioner of health and family welfare and mission director of the National Health Mission (NHM) J. Nivas participated in a three-day regional workshop on strengthening telemedicine for the WHO South-East Asia Region.

“The state has teleconsultation services in all PHCs and YSR village health clinics and 27 telemedicine hubs have been established. AP is facilitating 60,000 teleconsultations per day. Conducting training at regular intervals and maintaining staff strength in hubs is also one of the main reasons for better services to callers,” said Mr. Nivas.

Each telemedicine hub has a general physician, a pediatrician, a gynecologist, and two general-duty medical officers.

Explaining the role of telemedicine during the pandemic, Mr. Nivas said, “The first call center was established during the Covid-19 first wave with 180 tele-callers, including 10 doctors. Most calls were panic calls from worried citizens. Apart from calls received, doctors voluntarily called Covid-positive patients on home isolation and their contacts and counselled them about the care to be taken. Telemedicine services played a vital role during the pandemic.”

During the workshop, joint secretary (policy), the Union ministry of health and family welfare, Vishal Chauhan, said Andhra Pradesh is the best state in the country in delivering e-Sanjeevani Telemedicine Services in India. He also advised other states to follow Andhra Pradesh’s example to improve health facilities.